Richard Leon Leriger

Richard Leon Leriger, known affectionately to friends and family as Rich, lived a life that could be described as one heck of a ride, much like the NASCAR races he so loved to watch. Born on September 5, 1949, in Kankakee, Illinois, Rich's journey took a final pit stop on November 5, 2025. He crossed the finish line after a short battle with lung cancer, but not before leaving tire tracks of love, laughter, and faith on the hearts of all who knew him.
Rich was a high school graduate who became an entrepreneur of a thriving lawn maintenance business for over 27 years in Pinellas County, Florida. But his true legacy wasn't in the perfectly trimmed hedges or the meticulously mowed lawns. It was in the joy and dedication he brought to his work and the bonds he formed with everyone he met. His involvement with the Lazarus Group at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in New Port Richey showcased his deep Catholic faith and his commitment to serving others, a testament to a life well-lived.
He was a man who could find humor in the everyday. Rich's storytelling would leave you in stitches, even if it was the tenth time you'd heard that particular tale.
Family was the cornerstone of Rich's world. He was the loving husband to his late wife Judy for over 50 years and could not wait to see her again in Heaven. He was a guiding light to his daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer & Paul Davis of Dunedin, FL, and Elizabeth & David Bennett of Hernando Beach, FL. His role as "Papo" to Hayley (Brandon) Buckman, Savannah Davis, and Tanner Davis, and "Great-Papo" to Luka Buckman, was performed with a mix of humor and unwavering love. Rich's siblings, Dennis (Roberta) Leriger, Sheila (Mike) Jarvis, Judy (Paul) Lustik, and Jane (Travis) McLin, knew they had not just a brother, but a true friend in Rich.
Rich's life was a masterclass in loving unconditionally, finding humor in the small things, and living an unapologetically faith-filled life. He was the guy who'd drop everything to help a friend move, fix a leaky faucet, or offer a listening ear. He enjoyed the simple things, spending time with family and watching NASCAR.
In a world that often takes itself too seriously, Rich was a reminder that life is better with a smile. He was the embodiment of the words loving, funny, and faith-filled. While his physical presence will be missed, his spirit remains a beacon of light and a source of countless cherished memories.
As the checkered flag was waved on his final lap, we imagine Rich cracking a joke at the pearly gates, Bud Light in hand. His legacy isn't just in the lives he touched but in the laughter he leaves behind. Rev your engines one last time, Rich-this race is won! "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Gulfside Hospice or to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.